Author Archives: Lisa Keen

Activist Barrett Brick dies, at 59

Long-time global activist Barrett Brick of Washington, D.C., died Sunday morning, September 22, following a lengthy battle with cancer. He was 59. Brick was honored by many groups over the years for his contributions to secure equal rights for LGBT people

The bottom line on Olympic sponsors

While there are a few people who would like to see a boycott of the winter Olympic Games in Russia next February, because of that nation’s newly passed laws hostile to LGBT people, most see that idea as an example

Quinn bid for NYC mayor falls flat

Lesbian city official and mayoral hopeful Christine Quinn fell far short Tuesday of her goal to win at least a run-off spot in the New York City mayoral race’s Democratic primary. Despite having the endorsement of the New York Times and

Interpreting DOMA ruling: Under Obama, the ruling is achieving maximum impact

The impact of the June 26 U.S. Supreme Court ruling striking down the core provision of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) continues to roll out, both within the Obama administration and in court.

LGBT groups: Don’t “retreat” from Olympics, “speak up” in solidarity

At least five international LGBT groups say they oppose a boycott of the Winter Olympic Games in Russia over that country’s anti-gay laws. And President Obama ruled out a U.S. boycott of the Winter Olympics in Sochi next year, saying

Rustin, Ride win presidential award

The White House announced Thursday (August 8) that President Obama has awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to civil rights activist Bayard Rustin and first American woman into space Sally Ride. Both were gay.

Obama cancels one-on-one with Putin over various issues, including “human rights and civil society”

President Obama said Tuesday (August 6) that countries that participate in the Olympics “wouldn’t tolerate gays and lesbians being treated differently” during the 2014 Olympics in Russia.

Five nominees are cleared, others are snagged

The U.S. Senate has confirmed 75 candidates for various executive branch offices, including four openly gay ambassadors and the highest openly gay official at the Department of Justice.

Post-DOMA: Litigation abounds to secure details and free states that still have bans, including in the south

“The lay of the land is getting a bit complicated,” says James Esseks, director of the ACLU’s National LGBT and AIDS Project. Esseks, who was one of the attorneys involved in pressing the case of Edith Windsor –the case which

Reid: ‘Sit down and shut up’

The U.S. Senate’s first and only openly gay member was presiding over the august body August 1 when Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid took the unprecedented tact of telling his colleagues to “sit down and shut up.”